Womanspace presents the Rockford debut of Creating Buddhas: The Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas. Guests of all ages can join us this Saturday, March 13, at Anderson Gardens for Isadora Gabrielle Leidenfrost’s film on this Tibetan art form. The movie explores Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo, a rare female thangka maker from the United States. Don’t miss this story of her life-changing nine-year apprenticeship in Dharamsala, India (home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government), the intricate step-by-step process of producing a fabric thangka, and their history and importance for Tibetans. Admission is $20 and includes an exhibit of locally-owned painted and fabric thangkas, the film (followed by a conversation with Leidenfrost), plus a Tibetan prayer flag craft to take home. Seating is limited, so register today!

Meanwhile, back on campus, our art galleries are host to two wonderful exhibits. WomanSpeak in Gallery 1 is in honor of Women’s History Month and features art inspired by the words of strong females—our kind of gals! Jhoole Weavers (pronounced ju-LAY) in Gallery 3 is photography by Rockford native Hannah Warren and the gorgeous textiles produced at the Jhoole Weavers’ Cooperative, a fair trade women’s collective she founded in India. Proceeds from purchases will benefit both Jhoole and Womanspace. Items include note cards of Warren’s beautiful photographs of the weavers, silk and cotton sari scarves, and framed Jhoole silk fabrics. This exhibit is presented in collaboration with Rock Valley College Students in Free Enterprise, and is partially supported by a grant from the Rockford Area Arts Council, which receives support from the City of Rockford, the Illinois Arts Council and its members.

World religion exploration continues with a Lunch and Learn March 17, presented by Sarah Woestman of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. March 18 features a Dorothy Bock art lecture about Frida Kahlo-Revolutionary Artist, and Bookgirl, our Junior Member program for girls ages 9-13, with Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. Honor women and the approach of spring at both Celebrating our Foremothers March 20 and our Queen of Heaven group Equinox gathering the next day. The Supper and Film March 22 will be the night you resolve to never miss another election. Iron-Jawed Angels is an amazing movie starring Hilary Swank that chronicles the women’s suffrage movement from 1912-1920. Gather with us March 26 for a freeFun Night for Adults. Bring your favorite game, refreshments to share, and make some new friends! Then, relax the next morning as Una Ryan teaches Restorative Yoga. Liz Fiorenza of Wind Ridge Herb Farm presents Herbal Teas and Tinctures March 29 for a natural and organic approach to wellness. Looking ahead to April, we have a documentary film about Aldo Leopold and the Wild Prairie Orchids and a workshop for those entering the life phase of caregiver for aging parents. You don’t need to be a member to do any of this, so please visit our Web site to learn more.

Gale Ketteler is program coordinator & marketing specialist at Womanspace, a not-for-profit founded in 1975, and located on a 7-acre campus a half-mile west of Rock Valley College off Spring Brook and Applewood at 3333 Maria Linden Drive in Rockford. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Info at (815) 877-0118, gale@womanspace-rockford.org or www.womanspace-rockford.org.